INDEPENDENTSpring Edition 2016

Art of CareLights, Camera, Action!

March 12, 2016

INDEPENDENT

A Message from the President and CEOAs many of you know, UCPLA, our allies in the Lanterman Coalition, and our advocates and self-advocates have been engaged in a longterm battle to convince the State of California to keep the Lanterman Promise by remedying rate stagnation and, in some cases, decreases that have caused many program closures.

Thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm of supporters like you, at the end of February 2016, we – the entire

developmental disabilities community – scored a slight victory. The California State Assembly and Senate passed a two-bill package that will provide vital funding increases starting in July 2016 for regional centers and developmental disabilities service providers like UCPLA.

These bills will institute an overhaul of California’s Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax, with the resulting funds dedicated to increasing salaries for regional centers and some community providers, and allowing for a 5% increase in State reimbursements for services such as supported and independent living, in-home and out-of-home respite and transportation.

Although these increases are necessary, they are only a small bandage on a gaping financial wound that threatens not only UCPLA’s longterm viability but also the present and future of California’s entire system of developmental disabilities services provision.

In the five short years since 2011, closures throughout the state have meant that individuals with developmental disabilities have lost access to:

• 435 residential homes, representing a loss of 2300 beds

• 57 day and work programs, affecting 1200 people

• 15 supported employment programs, representing 176 opportunities to work in the community.

Although these hard-fought funding increases will help lessen some of these closures, they will not be enough to repair our ailing system. Even at UCPLA, these vital funding increases will not address all of our significant cost gaps. Our four Adult Day Programs and two Behavioral Programs, for instance, will not receive any benefit from the MCO tax. These programs serve more than 330 people and are on track to experience a nearly $1 million loss this year due to under-funding.

UCPLA and the Lanterman Coalition are working hard to remind our legislators of the importance of addressing these ongoing deficits and creating a sustainable funding solution. We are currently advocating for a rate survey from the Department of Developmental Services that would allow providers like UCPLA to provide feedback on a plan that would help ensure the longevity of our system of service provision.

We have come a long way in our fight to ensure that California will Keep the Promise – but we still have a long way to go. Your support and advocacy have been invaluable throughout this process and, on behalf of our clients, staff and Board, I extend my most sincere thanks.

At this pivotal juncture – as we prepare to work as a community to ensure the future of our community-based services – we need your support and advocacy more than ever. I hope you will continue to tell your legislators how important our state’s developmental disabilities services are to you. You can even do so in person, as some of our most engaged families did on Monday, May 16 at our Chatsworth Campus, where we hosted a Candidates Forum to introduce our supporters to legislators running for the seat in the California State Senate (District 27).

Whether you choose to advocate in person or to call, write or email your legislators to let them know how important UCPLA’s services are to you and your family; follow and share our updates on social media; or make a financial contribution to help us address our multi-million-dollar cost gap, your support has a direct impact on the future of our organization and on the lives of the 1100 individuals and their families we have the privilege of serving every day.

Our battle is far from over but, if we are united behind the ongoing struggle to ensure that all individuals with developmental disabilities can access high-quality, dignified services, I am certain that our progress will continue – and that our community will be richer for our efforts.

Ronald S. Cohen, Ph.D.President and Chief Executive Officer

Spring Edition 2016 3

From April 24-30, UCPLA celebrated Administrative Professionals Week and took the opportunity to honor and thank the dedicated members of our Administrative Support, Development, Finance, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Human Resources teams for the positive impact they make on the lives of our clients and our organization. We are grateful to these outstanding administrative team members!

Administrative Professionals Week (April 24-30)

Administrative SupportBrooke BanuelosAnita EspinozaMegan HenrySimee SchiffmanAida Valeri

DevelopmentJayson KingTamara PompeyMargarete Preusser

FinanceLaurie BaumanMyriam DiazLucy KutakhMharcee LaquianDyana LienKimberly Marotta

HUDCrystal AcevesAngel Canepa

HUD, cont.Ralph CooperNicole DangNatalie HoldrenRhonda JenkinsLusine KhachatryanMaria Munoz-NajarAlondra OcampoBarbara PuryearRuby RosalesMichelle Seaton

Human ResourcesPatty AvalosShirley ButlerDebbie KinlawTerry NaborneKern Tam

We also spent National Nurses’ Week, from May 6-12, recognizing and thanking our dedicated nursing staff, who provides daily care for UCPLA’s clients with complex medical concerns in a professional, compassionate and whole-hearted fashion. We appreciate our amazing nursing staff!

National Nurses' Week (May 6-12)

Ivon Martinez Aguiniga Laila AlejandroJustine AluochMarco Jose AlvarezRowena BarcegaJeremy BennettPhil CorreaMaria DiazMaricar DignadiceNicole DobsonRose DonezaRoy EmmanuelCamila EspirituRhodora FortalezaMyrene Gomez

April HaithPaula Hill StoneNettie JordanLucy KilutaAnne KinkelaarAshley KnightPaula LunaPierre Rey Malek-NiasakaniansJane MandtanavonsinAlejandra MartinezCherie MartinezLindsey MasonZheng Mc NeilKristina OsgoodMary Leizl Pao

Mila ParoneDiana PelayoFreddy PerezKim PettusTamara PolinDeborah RasmussenIrma ReyesForestine RichardsAdrian RochaJannie SauzaLori SmithRichard SwigerLevi Bryan WalseDonald Wells

If you would like to send a tribute or a message of appreciation to a UCPLA staff member, visit ucpla.org, click “Make a Donation”

and click “Yes” to answer the question “Is this a gift?”

We look forward to delivering your note of appreciation to our hardworking staff!

Art of Care 2016:

Benefactor SponsorThe Shapiro Family

Charitable Foundation

Platinum SponsorsSandra & Peter DevereauxMaureen & Bryan Stockton

Diamond SponsorsBRUTZKUS GUBNERYOUR COUNSEL MATTERS®

Brutzkus Gubner Rozansky Seror Weber LLP

Karen & Nicholas RoxboroughStolaroff Foundation

Jonathan Victor & Tobey Cotsen-VictorMarsha & Phillip Wright

Gallery Benefactor Gold SponsorsMark & Tamara Hatwan

Bruce & JJ Levenstein, MD, FAAPNancy Niparko, MD

Reception SponsorsMary & Daniel H. James

Silver SponsorsShelley & Frank Litvack

Relief FoundationNic & Tyler Robuck

One of the highlights of the 2016 Art of Care program was when Paul Herzlich (center, front), a legal analyst with Google.org, announced that Google.org is aligning with UCPLA subsidiary UCP Wheels for Humanity through its Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities initiative.

This three-year, $1 million grant from Google.org will support UCP Wheels’ efforts to gather and use innovative technologies, including in-chair sensors and SMS text messaging surveys, to gather subjective and objective data from wheelchair users in less-resourced countries.

Through this project, and its alliance with Google.org, UCP Wheels aims to help bring the voices of people with disabilities to the forefront of policy and philanthropy decisions worldwide. To learn more about this exciting project and UCP Wheels’ work with Google.org, see page 15 of this newsletter.

Congratulations to our 2016 honorees!Zach Anner

Trailblazer AwardJohn Lynch

Heart and Soul Award

Lori & Michael AllenCandelaria AlvaradoLisa & Jack AnJoyce AradAshleigh Bergman ConsultingJoseph AstalosPatricia AtkissonBarbara BakerRachelle & Thomas BarrackToni & Mike BartonCarolyn BeilfussHarrison BellRichard BergerAshleigh & Royce BergmanEmily BergmanAustin & Virginia BeutnerBina & Sharvan BhatiaMaureen & Donald BinderCharlie BisharatBlazing SaddlesAnthony BlochCaron & Joe BlockShirley & Larry BovshowBrutzkus Gubner Rozansky

Seror Weber LLPBeverly & Mark BrutzkusBulldog BreweryDan CagneyMonique & Ed CaineKaitlyn Pfingston &

Michael CarwinChange A Life FoundationTheresa & Barry ChaseKathleen & Tom CodaBonnie & Alan CohenCameron CohenSusan & Ronald CohenKira & Craig CooperPaul CrowderKailey CrumMary Ann Cummins PragerEric CusanoJulie & Daniel DapondeArlene & Gary DavidsonGary Davidson, ESPNSandra & Peter DevereauxMarcia DicksteinDigitasLBiAshley DingmanKaylyn DonatoRobyn & Patrick DunnJennifer & Richard EidingerJaye & Neal EiglerElite Island ResortsFantastic RaceChristopher FarlowLani & Brad FauvreCecilia & William Feiler

First Foundation Inc.Lori & John FloydFloyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLPSteve FrankelRebecca & Sean FredrickBeth & Joshua FriedmanCarole GabaMyra & Jeff GantmanZeina & Justin GaynorJoanne & Peter GerlachJulie GiganteChristian GirodetBob GloubermanJennifer Jackson &

Hector GonzalezLinda & Gary GoldfeinSusan Tick & Scott GoldsteinJoseph GoltsevBrenda & Raymond GoshornMark GrahamBrandon GrossCynthia Lazar Grossman &

Adam GrossmanLaura & Steve GubnerLaurie & John HadleyLaVerne & Rod HagenbuchEric HamermeshTerry HamermeshTrevor HandyJoan HansonDelilah & John HarrisKatarina & Ryen HarrisScott Harrison, Los Angeles

Chamber OrchestraPeg & David HartwigErika & Gerald HassanTamara & Mark HatwanMara HebkersmanLisa & George HessCornelia HewittCarsten HoffmanErin Hoien, InYoga CenterAndrea & Scott HoltzmanKhara & Rob HorningEleanor & James HudsonSamara HutmanLeslie Weisberg &

James HymanMatt IsemanTomiko IwataLynn & Craig JacobsonMary & Daniel JamesJanae DesignsDaniel James, PrimeGroup, IncSusan & Martin JannolFrank JohnsonDeborah JonesLinda Jones

Jeff JoyceRoxanne Hampton &

Brian KabateckKen KatsumotoRonald & Leona KatzMichiko KawakamiAnie & Manoug KederianTina & James KenefickEllen & Alan Kessler, M.D.Ashley KesslerAnne Kirkland, Inform Fitness

BurbankGene KirklandDeborah KlarJason KomorskyWilliam KrebsMarisa KuneyClaudia KuninDebbie & Marc LabeauneKatrin LalezarzadehKaren & Michael LayfieldJaqueline Lechtholz-ZeyRebecca LeeBernadette & Ray LeonardMarcia & Ronald LevensonJJ Levenstein, M.D. &

Bruce LevensteinDavid LevinsonLewis Hyman, Inc.Jane LiepshutzShelley & Frank LitvackLeslie & Adam LobelL & D Longo Family FoundationLena LongoPatrice LopezCrystal & Blaine LourdSal LozanoDaniel LykkenLowell LykkenKevin LynchKaren & Robert LynnCheryl & Rick MacDonoughSaheli Datta & Tom MackeySimon MajumdarJan Goodman & Jerry ManpearlMaria’s KitchenPaul MarsolanBrett MartinJason Masherah, The Upper

Deck Company, Inc.Abigail MasonPamela MasonTess MastersLinda MayKaren Krasney &

Dennis McCarthyKevin McCarthyMary Sheila McCarthy

Dana McCormickCeleste & Thomas McLainZandra MessermanGrady MillerLynda & Paul MillerSteve MillsKathy MolloyJoanne & Clinton

Montgomery, M.D.Dave MoonAnn & Jerry MossNicole & Allan MutchnikMargaret NagleChithra NairJoyce & Lee NeibartNeuberger Berman LLCBetsy Newman &

Howard HeitnerMichelle NguyenNancy A. Niparko, M.D.Peter Norman JewelersShannon & Gary NyeMargaret OuchidaAllison Overbeke, Yummi GlassPinzPauline & Drew PomeranceGiovanni PortaThe Press Cabinet, IncWolfgang PuckBonnie Rasking,

EducationalAdvancement.orgGail Reisman & Robert OlsonThe Relief FoundationSidney & Allen RisheAmy & Jim RoachBob RoathNancy RobertsLucy RodriguezBarbara & Derek RogersCaroline & Mark RomeoRosalyn & Richard RosinRichard RoweKaren & Nick RoxboroughRPR Wine InternationalDouglas RyanSafia Day Fine JewelrySalastina Music SocietyMaureen & James ScanlonRegan & Robert SchafferLizzie ScheckElisa & Michael SchenkmanGavin SchiffTed SchwabLonny SchwartzRichard SchwartzLisa & Wesley ScruggsScott SellensThe Shapiro Family

Charitable FoundationSilver Oak CellarsSimms RestaurantsAmy & Doug SimonsDana SlatkinLia Smith, Campowerment.comLia Smith, Nail Garden -

Woodland HillsSpago Beverly HillsJonathan StanleyCraig StanmanTracey & Jake SteinfeldMarlene SternRick SternNancy Holland & Robert SternMaureen & Bryan StocktonThe Stolaroff FoundationThe Sugar Ray Leonard

FoundationNeti & Jason SussmanLisa & Sean SuttonThomas SzymanekLeslie TalleyVirginia & Narong TanawongEmma Taylor & Karen TaylorCathleen & Paul TrapaniAlison & Michael TriesslUCPLA Washington Reid GalleryUniversal Studios, HollywoodUniversal Studio Hollywood’s

Discover A Star FoundationUS BankVal SurfLaura Fox & Ben Van de BuntChris VasquezJosefina & Julio VergaraTobey Cotsen Victor &

Jonathan VictorLinda & Skip VictorSandy VilettiSheila & Clint WalkerThe Walt Disney Company

FoundationShannon WarnerLarry WheatRebecca & Sean WilliamsKenneth WingardJudith Farmer &

Gernot WolfgangMarsha & Phillip WrightJere YatesMarianne YounkheereLawrence ZarianLana & Boris Zokouzski

Our sincere thanks to everyone who made the second annual Art of Care celebration a success. The event raised nearly $400,000 and included an exciting announcement from our allies at Google.org!

John LynchHeart and Soul Award

INDEPENDENT

UCPLA is grateful to have the support of some amazing people who volunteer countless hours each year to support our viable programs and services from the Special Children’s League (SCL) committees and the Psi Delta Sigma, LLC. These fun and enthusiastic ladies lend their time and talents to ensure their communities are accessible and inclusive to everyone.

October 2015

• Beta Mu Chapter of Psi Delta Sigma held their annual Spirit of Giving Luncheon and Fashion Show in San Pedro. The program of beautiful fashion was hosted by Fox 11 News reporters Gigi Graciette and Rick Dickert. Save the Date for the next Spirit of Giving on October 8, 2016.

November 2015

• Beta Pi Chapter of Psi Delta Sigma held their annual Bingo Event in Palos Verdes. It was a fun evening of food, friends, and Bingo.

• SCL South Bay held their annual An Affair to Remember at the Palos Verdes Country Club. The Luncheon and Boutique has become a holiday tradition. The capacity crowd at the luncheon helped SCL South Bay raise $70,000. Save-the-date to attend this year’s Affair to Remember on November 18, 2016.

December 2015

• The SCL Foothill committee, with members in the La Cañada, Glendale, La Crescenta and Pasadena areas also remains as engaged and active as ever. Their annual Angel Letter campaign in December raised almost $10,000 for UCPLA.

• If you live in the area, the SCL Foothill committee is seeking new members who are interested in joining a fun dedicated group of women in raising awareness and funds for UCPLA, contact Margarete Preusser, Development Manager at (818) 782-2211 ext. 541 or email mpreusser@ucpla.org for more information.

March 2016

• In March 2016, the SCL Whittier committee held their annual Zingo luncheon, this Spring-time tradition raised over $30,000 in support of UCPLA and other organization throughout Whitter.

April 2016

• All five chapters of Psi Delta Sigma came together for An Afternoon of Laughter on April 9 at the Hermosa Beach Comedy and Magic Club. The capacity crowd enjoyed a silent auction, lunch and comedy and magic show.

Updates from UCPLA's Auxiliary Groups

Spring Edition 2016 7

UCPLA's Resident Artists at Work

The UCPLA Washington Reid Gallery's fourth annual Blank Canvas community art show took place in November 2015.

The show brought together UCPLA resident artists and staff as well as members of the larger Los Angeles art community to

raise funds that support UCPLA's programs.

The Washington Reid Gallery kicked off 2016 with the colorful, vibrant group exhibit Glamour, featuring resident artists

Shelby Boston, Della Dixon and Veronica Tamayo.

The Spirit of Gentleness featured works in a variety of media from Gilberto Alfaro, Stephen Hopkins and John

Smith, whose abstract works were accompanied by photographs taken by his mother Julie Newmar.

Resident artists at UCPLA's Thousand Oaks Adult Day Program have been busy as well. Friends and studio peers Donna Frame and Judy Lalley recently debuted

a series of landscapes and portraits in the exhibit Nature Calls: It's More than Just Art to Me.

Currently at the UCPLA Washington Reid Gallery:Resident artists Carl Tyler and Seong Chon explore and depict historical and current-day

icons in their two-man show LEGENDS: Past and Present. This exhibit also features resident artists Bea Olea and Vanessa Ortiz in the gallery’s Project Space. LEGENDS is

open at the UCPLA Washington Reid Gallery (6110 W. Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232) through May 26, 2016.

INDEPENDENT

We are here...March 2016 marked the 28th annual National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (NDDAM). In the spirit NDDAM’s focus on inclusion and education, UCPLA spent the month showcasing the many abilities of some of our

outstanding clients, colleagues and supporters! Here are some highlights from this busy, exciting month.

We recognized Lorelle, a resident at UCPLA’s Buena

Park Group Home, who received a letter from President

Obama congratulating her on her self-published book Gone

But Not Forgotten.

We are here

to celebrate NDDAM!

Lisa Shannon

We met Shannon, a Community Living Services (CLS) client who, with the help of her CLS staff member Lisa,

undertook the daunting task of obtaining her GED. Shannon passed her GED exams and now plans to

continue pursuing her education! Read Shannon's story at Facebook.com/ucpla.

We heard the story of Brittany, Caitlin and Cameron, three friends who found their “forever home” at UCPLA. To watch for yourself, visit youtube.com/ucpla.

Karen and her friends at our Chatsworth

Campus celebrated Mardi Gras in style!

Spring Edition 2016 9

We went greenfor cerebral palsy awareness on March 25.

to celebrate NDDAM!

We celebrated the release of Art of Care Trailblazer Honoree Zach Anner's first memoir If at

Birth You Don't Succeed: My Adventures with Disaster and

Destiny. You can pick up a copy using AmazonSmile and give

back to UCPLA while you shop!To see more from Zach, visit

youtube.com/ZachAnner.

Community Living Services client Amber

introduced us to her hairless Sphynx Calico cat

Leeloo, and shared some information about this

unique breed and its care routines. To see more,

visit youtube.com/ucpla.

INDEPENDENTUCP Golf Classic Tournament:Celebrating 20 Years and Honoring Nick Roxborough On June 6, 2016, golf lovers and UCPLA supporters will once again gather at the illustrious Wilshire Country Club to celebrate the landmark 20th Anniversary of one of UCPLA’s signature fundraisers: the UCP Golf Classic Tournament.

Founded and spearheaded each year by UCPLA Board members Dr. Alan and Mrs. Ellen Kessler, the UCP Golf Classic Tournament has raised nearly $10 million over the past 19 years to support UCPLA’s 40 programs and services.

In addition to celebrating 20 years of excellence, 2016’s UCP Golf Classic Tournament will honor the dedication of Nick Roxborough, Chairman of UCPLA’s Board of Governors.

Roxborough, a co-managing partner of Roxborough, Pomerance, Nye & Adreani, LLP (RPNA), the first law firm in the country to specialize in representing employers nationwide in workers’ compensation premium disputes, has been a dedicated supporter of UCPLA since 1988. He joined the UCPLA Board of Directors in 1990 and has held several leadership positions on UCPLA’s Boards. In addition to his current positions as Chairman of UCPLA’s Board of Governors and Director of our SCEF board, Roxborough previously served as the Chairman of UCPLA’s Board of Directors from 2008 - 2012.

“I am humbled to have learned that I will be honored at the 20th Anniversary UCP Golf Classic Tournament,” says Roxborough. “I have been deeply committed to supporting the UCPLA family and their mission for the last 28 years, during which I have seen the true significance of what we do for our clients: allow them to live life with dignity, surrounded by a loving community and opportunities that only can be given from people who think of others first and themselves last.”

Roxborough and his firm RPNA have been supporting the UCP Golf Classic Tournament throughout the entirety of its 20-year history, and UCPLA is grateful for the opportunity to honor Nick Roxborough and express our gratitude for his substantial contributions to our organization.

To learn more about the 20th Anniversary UCP Golf Classic Tournament Honoring Nick Roxborough, or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit WeAreHere4.ucpla.org/GolfClassic20.

Spring Edition 2016 11

20 Years of Summer Gamesat UCPLA's Thousand Oaks Adult Day Program

In 1996, the Program Administrator at UCPLA’s Thousand Oaks Adult Day Program decided that it would be beneficial for program participants and staff to partake in four major events every year - one during each season of the year. Instructor Stan Crawford was assigned to plan the summer event and, inspired by the upcoming 1996 Olympics, developed an accessible, inclusive sports competition designed to allow program participants to compete in individual and group events tailored to their strengths.

Twenty years later, the Summer Games, as this competition came to be called, is still a favorite of program participants and staff members alike. Program participants are able to show off agility, speed and precision in individual events like Golf Putting, an Obstacle Course and a Ball Throw.

Teamwork is also on full display with program participants working together for events like the Relay Race, as well as with staff members for challenges like the Wheelchair Slalom and the crowning event of the Summer Games competition - the Tug of War, during which staff members and clients team

up to display both strength and strategic thinking. At the end of the two-week competition, medals are awarded to winners in each individual and group event and inclusion and teamwork are celebrated at the inspiring Closing Ceremony.

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Summer Games, which will be taking place this year from June 20th through July 1st, Stan Crawford has invited former program participants and staff members to take part in the games and reconnect with their colleagues, as well as invited program participants and staff from UCPLA’s three other Adult Day Programs to join in the fun.

Congratulations to the Thousand Oaks Adult Day Program on reaching this milestone! Family, friends and members of the community are encouraged to come out and cheer competitors and alumni. Stay tuned to UCPLA’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ucpla for details about the 20th Anniversary of the Summer Games competition. For more information, contact Edmond Osepans, Manager of UCPLA’s Thousand Oaks Adult Day Program, at (805) 497-8083 or visit ucpla.org.

Summer Games founder Stan Crawford (left) with Edmond Osepans, Thousand

Oaks Adult Day Program Manager.When the Summer Games began in 1996 at UCPLA’s Thousand

Oaks ADP, bowling was one of the original events that challenged partcipants as individuals and in teams.

Families and community members are encouraged to take part in the Summer

Games competition.

Left: Summer Games participants undertake the Ball Throw, cheered on by staff members; Right: Each

Summer Games competition concludes with a closing

ceremony that includes the awarding of medals and

recognition of the effort put in by all participants.

INDEPENDENT

UCPLA’s Westside Parent Support and Advocacy Group recently welcomed two special guests: Denali, a four-month-old yellow lab/golden retriever mix who is training to be a Canine Companion to individuals with disabilities, and his trainer Lisa Snowiss, a volunteer with Canine Companions for Independence. Lisa and Denali presented information on the purpose of Canine Companions, the training process, and the benefits of having a skilled animal companion for children with

developmental disabilities. Families also heard a special presentation from a UCPLA family who went through the process of obtaining a Skilled Canine Companion for their eight-year-old son Daron, whose black lab Lionel also attended the meeting. To learn more about Canine Companions for Independence, visit cci.org. For more information about upcoming UCPLA Westside Parent Support and Advocacy Group meetings, visit www.ucpla.org/resources/parent-support-groups/.

Hostile Witness Rocks out for UCPLA! Our sincere thanks to UCPLA supporters and members of Hostile Witness, who took to the stage at the world-famous Whisky a Go Go on March 19 to compete in the 5th Annual Law Rocks LA, a battle of the bands that brings together lawyers who like to rock for their favorite charities. Board of Governors member and musician Brandon Mendenhall introduced Hostile Witness, who energized the crowd with renditions of classic rock hits and raised over $3,000 to support UCPLA. To learn more, visit hostilewitnessband.com.

A Visit from Canine Companions

Spring Edition 2016 13

A Laundry (Check)ListResidents in UCPLA’s programs work with staff members on a daily basis to learn and practice lifeskills that enable them to live independently. At our Dronfield group homes, residents Wayne and Liz exercise their independence by doing their own laundry on a weekly basis. Wayne and Liz recently took some time to show us their laundry routines and have even put together a checklist for safe, effective laundry skills!

1. Separate light clothes from dark clothes

2. Make sure housemates haven't left anything behind.

3. Load laundry, add exactly 1 cup

of detergent and hit “Start”.

To hear more from Wayne and Liz,

visit YouTube.com/UCPLA or scan the QR code with your

smartphone,

Students at Norwalk High School Giving Charity to Charities

April 28th was National Superhero Day and UCPLA witnessed some real life superheroes at Norwalk High School during their annual Giving Charity to Charities assembly where UCPLA was presented with a check for $1,000. A senior project of sorts, Giving Charity to Charities is a student-run program under the academic mentorship of Dean Gray, the AP Government teacher. Members of the senior class research, present and eventually fundraise for charities of their choice. Superheroes Brenae and Briana selected UCPLA because both of them had family members with cerebral palsy who passed. The young ladies used the opportunity to remember their loved-ones and to build their legacy. At the assembly UCPLA President and CEO Ron Cohen recognized the selflessness of all the students who came together to raise funds for UCPLA and nine other charities, saying, “What you have done at your young age is you have literally touched lives. Nothing could be done if it wasn’t for wonderful, caring people like you.”

INDEPENDENT WORK, Inc.

Save the Date! Keep your eye out for the Santa Barbara Independent’s June 16 edition, which will feature a 4-page insert regarding UCP WORK, Inc.’s programs and services, generously funded by the Hutton Parker Foundation.

Save the Date for UCP WORK, Inc’s First Thursday Art Show on June 2nd from 5-8pm at Sundial Studios located at 715 Kimball Avenue in Santa Barbara. This will be a special show featuring unique printmaking works of art created by Sundial artists and generously funded by National Arts and Disability Center. “This activity is being supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Arts and Disability Center at the University of California Los Angeles.”

Some of UCP WORK, Inc.’s Santa Barbara Applied Abilities participants volunteered in the Goleta hills with the Backyard Bounty program for the Foodbank. They loved being out in nature and giving back to their community!

One of UCP WORK, Inc.’s participants, Jim, has worked at Jeanine’s Bakery for 13 years. Jeanine’s will be hiring another UCP WORK, Inc.

employment referral very soon!

Bruce is a UCP WORK, Inc. participant who recently moved into his own residence. He had previously been struggling with homelessness followed by an unstable living environment. Bruce and his UCP WORK, Inc. Supported Living Services Life Skills Coach Gary worked together to find housing for Bruce. He is very happy now and excited for this "new beginning". We are so happy for Bruce!

UCP WORK, Inc. - Out in the Community

To keep up with all of UCP WORK, Inc.’s activities, visit their website at ucpworkinc.org

Spring Edition 2016 15

UCP Wheels For Humanity and Google.org Align to Bring the Voice of Wheelchair Users from Around the World

to the Decision-Making Table

Launched in May of 2015, the Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities put $20 million in Google.org grants behind nonprofits using emerging technologies to increase inde-pendence for people living with disabilities. “At Google.org, we support organizations that offer innovative solutions to complex challenges. We’re thrilled to back UCP Wheels for Humanity as they help build a world that works for every-one,” states Brigitte Gosselink, Head of the Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities. With a $1 million, three-year grant from Google.org, UCP Wheels for Humanity (UCP Wheels). will bring the voice of people with disabilities to the forefront in policy and philanthropy decisions. Ronald Cohen, CEO of UCP Wheels states, “We are excited to be aligned with Google.org as we work together to make dynamic strides in connecting individuals with disabilities to innovative resources that will bring them independence and integration in our global community.”UCP Wheels is interested to know what really makes a dif-ference in wheelchair users’ lives. Data from less-resourced countries on the performance, usage and benefits of wheel-chairs provided by donors, aid agencies, and governments is difficult to collect and not broadly available. Since different chairs and clinical services are needed to accommodate the varying needs of people with disabilities, this data is crucial to ensure users have the best chair to maximize their health and independence. UCP Wheels is developing a system for gathering both subjective and objective data from users in less-resourced settings all over the world. UCP Wheels will use sensors to

collect data on wheelchair usage patterns and environment, as well as SMS surveys to learn about user satisfaction and impacts on education, income, community participation and health. The combined data will provide key insights into which chairs are most effective in a range of conditions, us-ers’ preferences and overall impacts. Because thousands of wheelchair users in many countries will be involved, the project will reach an unprecedented scale. Through SMS surveys, even remote users will be able to submit a review of their chair in their own words - bringing their voice directly into the conversation on how best to serve their needs. This global wheelchair perfor-mance project aims to answer basic effectiveness questions and drive future funding to a problem that affects 70 million people worldwide.Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, supports nonprofits that innovate to address humanitarian issues. Google.org was created to pursue, experiment with, and build upon ideas to improve the world, and continues to take an iterative approach to philanthropy today. Google.org develops and invests in pursuits that can have measur-able impact on local, regional and global issues, and rallies Google’s people in support of these efforts with a singular goal of creating a better world, faster.Launched in May of 2015, the Google Impact Challenge: Dis-abilities (g.co/disabilities) committed $20 million in Google.org grants behind nonprofits using emerging technologies to increase independence for people living with disabilities.

6430 Independence AvenueWoodland Hills, CA 91367(818)782-2211 | www.ucpla.org

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

VAN NUYS, CAPERMIT #440

Monday, June 6, 201620th Annual UCP Golf Classic TournamentHonoring Nick Roxborough - Wilshire Country ClubTo register: WeAreHere4.ucpla.org/GolfClassic20

Sunday, July 18, 201618th Annual Devon Stern/UCPLA Golf TournamentCamarillo Springs Golf CourseTo register: WeAreHere4.ucpla.org/DevonStern18

Saturday, September 24, 2016UCP Wheels for Humanity’s Wheels in MotionSkirball Cultural CenterTo register: support.ucpwheels.org/los-angeles/events/wheels-motion-celebrating-20-years/e74896

October 2016Out & About with UCPLA - www.ucpla.orgRegistration begins August 1, 2016

For a full list of calendar events, visit our website at www.ucpla.org and click on the Calendar link.

Upcoming Events Connect with us online!

www.ucpla.org

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@ucpla

youtube.com/ucpla

@ucpla

Photos: Holly Eschrich, Dempson Juvenal, Ian Romero and Jon Stanley